A note on the creation of sacred spaces

The design and construction of places of worship churches, mosques, stupas or temples are examples of creation of a sacred space. Many cultures have created some of the most beautiful and impressive sacred architecture which creates wonder and awe in the eyes of the believer and nonbeliever alike. Entering a place of worship is a metaphor for entering into a spiritual relationship.

There have also always existed some places on earth that have a special energy about them. These places of pilgrimage also provide access to the mystical. These 'power spots' exist in the form of sacred mountains, healing springs, oracular caverns, enchanted forest glens, and places of divine revelation. The sacred is everywhere. The River Ganga, mother to an entire civilization, Mount Kailash, abode of Shiva, The sacred Kadam tree of Brindavan, the Dargah of  Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti the Sufi saint, in Ajmer.

But why go on a pilgrimage? For 'Banaras is everywhere'. Our homes and workspaces are sacred spaces which can nourish and energize us as much as any pilgrimage. The techniques of Vastu and Feng Shui teach us how to create a greater and new sense of harmony and balance in our lives by proper placement of objects in our living and workspaces.

Our attempt when you walk into Siri Fort to listen to a lecture or see an event is to make you feel that you have entered a sacred space where you are not viewing a performance but participating in a ceremony that will nourish and invigorate you. Our attitude as an audience is not passive, bored viewing but an active, dynamic involvement with the sacred music and dance from around the world.

Yale University Architect attempts this with a simple bamboo and fabric construction and the monks of the Likir Gompha in Ladakh spend days constructing a Sand Mandala which will be dismantled on  the last day of the festival, such is the temporary nature of life itself.